After the surprise loss to Lahti on Saturday, the Helsinki team’s head coach Toni Koskela sees room for improvement, for example in duel situations in the midfield.
Henri Kaukonen,
Samu Saatsi,
Bettina Törnvall
On Wednesday, HJK will play their Champions League first qualifying round match against Northern Ireland’s Larne.
Head coach of HJK Toni Koskelan a team that can handle and wants to run to loose balls will arrive in Helsinki.
– They also have a strong will to play along the ground, if compared to the traditional image of British football.
According to Koskela, the keys to defeating the Northern Irish can be found in ball control.
– The minimum goal is a place in the group stage. The first round is important, because it gives you “three match balls”.
On Saturday, HJK suffered a 0–1 home defeat to FC Lahti. According to Koskela, with an eye on Wednesday, progressing into goal-scoring situations and dueling situations in the middle area, where Larne offers tough resistance in advance, need to be improved.
Of the clubs entering the field, both serve as growth platforms for players. One of HJK’s goals is for the players to progress.
– We have to be prepared for the fact that when a player leaves, a similar player will replace him, explains Koskela.
From the transfer market, HJK is still trying to get a player for the tenth place, which the club was already looking for in the winter.
– A player who creates a goal threat, who is able to shoot a little further, give a passer a break, arrive in the box and finish, and has enough speed with and without the ball.
The central defense has also caused gray hairs for the people of Helsinki Aapo Halme and Valtteri Morenin injuries.
The long-awaited European games begin
The European games starting in HJK’s group have been expected since the beginning of the season. The striker of the team Bojan Radulovic according to last season’s place in the group stage of the Europa League cemented the goal of the group stage for this season as well.
The Serbian striker’s last season was spent getting used to a new environment. The number of goals in the season was eight. This season, after 13 matches, there are already 10 goals.
Since the training season is long in Finland, Radulovic took advantage of it by practicing, among other things, finishing goals. The attacker was able to start the season in good shape.
– It’s about mental and physical readiness, Radulovic sums up.
The striker knows that at HJK every game counts, whether it’s Veikkausliiga or international matches. He doesn’t expect Wednesday to be easy.
– It is never easy to play against hard physical teams. We have to be ready.
The opponent’s toughness is also emphasized by the team’s midfielder Lucas Lingman. Lingman is in HJK on loan from Swedish Helsingborg IF.
– Lots of physical players and high intensity. A gang willing to fight, it will definitely be a tight match.
In addition to the opponent of the match, Lingman, who suffered from injury concerns, focuses on his own playing condition.
– I’m excited that I’m in this shape, says Lingman.
A week and a half ago, in the “metro derby” against Honka, the midfielder played his first 90 minutes of the season. Getting back into playing shape has been difficult.
– It’s mentally tough to be on the sidelines, just go to the gym and run on the side of the field without the ball. All the time I trust my body more and more, which feels better.
Lingman, who got into a difficult situation in Helsingborg, plays in HJK for the next contract of his career. The player’s situation with the Swedish club is open.
– Of course I also want something new for next season. You should play well enough to get a contract elsewhere. Things depend a lot on Helsingborg, but it’s pointless for me to focus on them. I’m just focusing on getting myself in shape.
After the injuries, Lingman has a clear goal for himself.
– We have to play better and help the team.